When Violence Silences Voices
On September 10, 2025, Utah Valley University in Orem became the site of a heartbreaking act of violence. Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while speaking at an outdoor event on campus. Investigators report that the fatal shot came from a nearby building. A person of interest was initially taken into custody but later released, and the search for the shooter continues.
No matter what we believed about Charlie Kirk’s message, influence, or methods, there is no justification for violence. None. A human life was taken. Families and communities are grieving. And once again, we are left to face the reality that hatred can erupt into actions that leave scars far beyond politics.
I was not a follower of Charlie Kirk, and I am not writing to endorse his work. But I believe with equal conviction that disagreement can never excuse cruelty or killing. Violence is not strength. It is not justice. It is the collapse of dialogue, the breakdown of reason, and the denial of our shared humanity.
The truth is this: what the world needs now is not louder outrage or finger-pointing. It needs more peacemakers. More people willing to listen before they argue. More tolerance and less tribalism. More love expressed not just in sentiment, but in how we treat those we disagree with most.
We also need more critical thinking and less consumption of inflammatory “news” cycles designed to provoke rather than to heal. It cannot only be about clicks or ratings. It must be about hearts and minds—about building understanding where division has taken root.
Heroism, in its truest form, is not found in aggression or force. It is found in the courage to resist hate, to speak truth with compassion, and to extend humanity even in the face of difference.
Today’s tragedy is a stark reminder: if we want a more peaceful, flourishing world, it begins with the choices each of us make—in our words, in our tone, in how we respond to conflict. The world doesn’t need more enemies. It needs more healers. More bridge-builders. More everyday heroes who choose love over fear.
Let us honor this moment not by escalating anger, but by recommitting to peace.
